(citric) acid/maltodextrin co-agglomerate

ABSTRACT

Methods of making and resultant acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates. The acidulent may be citric acid having particle sizes ranging from about 1 micron to 20 microns agglomerated with a soluble carbohydrate co-agglomerate to formulate the various acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates. In certain embodiments, the carbohydrate co-agglomerate may be maltodextrin to formulate citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerates. These citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerates are shelf stable when dry, have improved flowability, compressibility, mixability; dissolve easily and quickly in water; and provide an easy ready-to-use formulation that is suitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceutical products.

PRIORITY

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/338,854 filed Jul. 23, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/857,464 filed on Jul. 23, 2013, bothof which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water soluble agglomerates,and in particular, to water soluble maltodextrin and water soluble foodgrade acid agglomerate compositions.

2) Description of Related Art

In the food and pharmaceutical industries, a need has long existed forstable soluble acid agglomerates that rapidly dissolve in solution.Water soluble acid agglomerates are useful in the food industry in theformulation of powdered beverages, for example, in the formation ofpowdered lemonade. These soluble acid agglomerates are often mixed withother constituents of various particle sizes to formulate the desiredfood product mixture. In the pharmaceutical industry, soluble acidagglomerates are often useful in the formation of dispersiblemedicaments such as, for instance, water soluble ingestible medicines.

In order to ensure and enhance the rapid dissolution of soluble acidagglomerates it has been found that reducing the particle sizes of theacidulent to be dissolved is helpful to the dissolution thereof.However, in reducing the particle size of these soluble acidagglomerates, it has become more difficult to form stable dry blends.When reduced size soluble acid agglomerates are combined with differentconstituents of various particle sizes, the stability of such solubleacid agglomerates are often severely compromised. Further, when reducedsize soluble acid agglomerates are combined or prepackaged with largersize particles, such a combination has deleterious effects on thesoluble acid agglomerates' abilities to flow, compress, mix, and eventheir dissolution characteristics.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for improved methods of making andreduced size soluble acid agglomerates, preferably water soluble acidagglomerates, that have improved stability, flow-ability,compress-ability, mix-ability, and dissolve readily in solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned and other objects and advantages, which will beapparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the presentinvention which is directed to, agglomerated products that includeacidulent binder agglomerate dispersed with a soluble carbohydrateagglomerate. These co-agglomerates formulate an acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerate.

In one or more embodiments, the acidulent may have particle sizesranging from about 1 micron to 20 microns. The acidulent co-agglomeratemay be citric acid such as, for example, granular citric acid,pulverized citric acid, or a 50% citric acid aqueous solution. Thecarbohydrate co-agglomerate may be maltodextrin. Theacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention may be used in foodand/or pharmaceutical products.

The invention is also directed to agglomerated products that include acitric acid co-agglomerate binder having particle sizes ranging fromabout 1 micron to 20 microns agglomerated with and to solublemaltodextrin co-agglomerates. These products formulate citricacid/maltodextrin agglomerates that are honeycomb or zeolite-likestructures with large voids and increased surface area. These citricacid/maltodextrin agglomerates may have densities ranging from about0.28 g/cc to about 0.42 g/cc. In the various embodiments of theinvention, the citric acid binder may be granular citric acid,pulverized citric acid, or a 50% citric acid aqueous solution.

Other embodiments of the invention are directed to method of making theagglomerated products of the invention. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, a bed load of carbohydrate co-agglomerate is providedwithin a chamber of an agglomerating device, followed by heating thechamber to energize such carbohydrate co-agglomerates. A predeterminedamount of an acidulent co-agglomerating binder is also provided into theagglomerating device. The acidulent co-agglomerating binder is thenatomized to provide reduced particle sizes of the acidulent binder. Thisreduced particle size acidulent binder is sprayed and dispersed with thewith the bed load of carbohydrate co-agglomerates, followed by thedrying thereof. The cycle of spraying, dispersing and drying arerepeated until the acidulent co-agglomerating binder is depleted. Oncedepleted, the combined carbohydrate and acidulent co-agglomerates aredried to an entirely dry state to formulate the acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates of the invention.

In the invention, the carbohydrate co-agglomerate may be a bed load ofmaltodextrin co-agglomeratate, while the acidulent co-agglomeratingbinder may be citric acid co-agglomerating binder. Further, theacidulent may be an acidulent co-agglomerating binder solution or it maybe a dry acidulent co-agglomerating binder that is wetted duringformation of the resultant acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates. Thecarbohydrate co-agglomerate may be maltodextrin while the acidulentbinder may be citric acid co-agglomerating binder to formulate a citricacid/maltodextrin agglomerate. These citric acid/maltodextrinagglomerates may have densities ranging from about 0.28 g/cc to about0.42 g/cc. The final citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerate products maycontain citric acid in a weight percentage of about 5.07% to about20.00%.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The various embodiments of the invention are directed to reduced sizesoluble acid agglomerates that are permanently pre-dispersed within asoluble carbohydrate agglomerate. These acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates are useful in food and pharmaceutical products because oftheir flowability, compressibility, mixability, stability anddissolution characteristics, among others. The acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates of the invention store well, are convenient and pleasant totake, efficacious, fast acting and storage stable. The differentembodiments of soluble acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of theinvention dissolve easily and quickly in solution.

The soluble acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention arebroadly applicable to making a wide variety of food and pharmaceuticalproducts including particulate blends and chewable tablets including butnot limited to, tea and drink mixes (e.g., iced tea mixes, lemonademixes, punch mixes, etc.), dissolvable medicines and/or chewablemedicament tablets. Some of these powdered dissolvable and/or chewabletablets include, but are not limited to, antacids, cough medicine, sorethroat, breath fresheners, vitamins, dietary supplements and nutrients,laxatives, cold tablets, analgesics, anti-diarrhea, reducing agents,pain relievers, sleeping aids, and many prescription andnon-prescription drug and pharmaceutical tablets.)

In accordance with the invention, the acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates include an acidulent component in combination with asoluble carbohydrate component. The agglomerates of the invention arepreferably water soluble that are stable in a dry blended state prior touse thereof. The various water soluble acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates of the invention are provided in ready-to-use formulationsthat are suitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceuticalproducts as discussed above.

In the acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention, theacidulent may be any food grade acid that can exist as a dry product, oris dry upon water removal. The acidulent component may be a food gradecitric acid that is available as granular citric acid, pulverized citricacid, or as a 50% citric acid aqueous solution. In those embodimentsthat include the use of pulverized citric acid, it should be appreciatedthat pulverized citric acid is pharmacologically recognized as anartificial cough inducing agent. As such, adequate care, precautions andhandling of pulverized citric acid should be taken to eliminate exposureto dust particles thereof (e.g., the use of dusk masks is advisable).

In accordance with the invention, it is preferred that the food gradecitric acid be dry, or is able to be dried upon drying the instantacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates. It is also preferred that theparticle sizes of the food grade citric acid be reduced to assure rapidsolubility and instant effectiveness for their intended purpose. In oneor more embodiments, the acidulent component may comprise citric acidhaving reduced particle sizes ranging from above 0 microns to 30microns, or more. Preferably the citric acid acidulent has particlesizes ranging from about 1 micron to 20 microns, or less.

In one or more embodiments the instant acidulent/carbohydrate basedagglomerates are formulated using soluble food grade acidulent in anaqueous state. As such, any granular citric acid and/or pulverizedcitric acid used in formulating the agglomerate should be constituted,reconstituted or dissolved in solution. Preferably, the acidulent may bea food grade acidulent dissolved in water to serve as the agglomeratebinder. This acidulent agglomerate binder is applied to the solublecarbohydrate component. In one or more embodiments the water solublecarbohydrate component may comprise maltodextrin.

Agglomerates according to the invention are preferably formed by afluidized bed/agglomeration process in which the particles to beagglomerated are maintained in a gaseous suspension and the acidulentbinder in a fine spray is applied to the suspended particles to causethem to adhere together and build into agglomerated particles. Theresultant acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention havehoneycomb or zeolite like structures, with large amounts of voids oropen pores that increase the surface area (i.e., they are porous, largesurface area void-like structures). The various acidulent/carbohydratebased agglomerates for use in food and pharmaceutical preparations ofthe invention may be prepared using atomizing spray coaters that allowthe acidulent binder constituent to be provided over a bed of thecarbohydrate constituent.

In one or more embodiments, a suitable spray granulator for producingthe acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention may include aFreund Model FL 80 pilot-production Flow-Coater. A schematic diagram ofthe Freund Model FL 80 is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 of U.S. Pat. No4,684,534, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.While the Freund Model FL 80 may be used to formulate the instantagglomerates, it should be appreciated and understood that various othertypes of spray atomizers capable of providing coatings may be used toprovide the present acidulent/carbohydrate based agglomerates. Forinstance, it has also been found that a Freund Mini-Flow-Coater isuseful in providing results that can be replicated on productionbatch-type spray granulators. The Freund Mini-Flow-Coater includes asingle, centrally-disposed nozzle that sprays atomized binder solutioninto a fluidized bed of the carbohydrate component. Other useful spraycoaters also include those that provide continuous coatings (i.e.,continuous agglomeration systems) for forming the instantacidulent/carbohydrate based agglomerates.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, theacidulent component acts as the binder or binding agent that may be usedalone in solution, or optionally with the other active and/or inactiveingredients. When provided in a dry state, the acidulent component isused to prepare the binder solution. Alternatively, the acidulent may beas a prefabricated binder solution. The reduced size acidulent binder istypically applied in a mist-like or atomized spray having a droplet sizeof above 0 microns to 30 microns, or more, and preferably from about 1micron to about 20 microns, onto the carbohydrate bed. The spray ispreferably applied intermittently and the bed particles are driedbetween sprayings while they are continuously maintained suspended andin a fluidized state. Intermittent spray and drying continues until therequired amount of binder solution has been sprayed into the bed. Themoisture content of the bed is thereafter reduced preferably directly tothe final desired moisture content or the equilibrium moisture content,and the agglomerated particles are removed from the bed and sized.

It is preferred that dried compressed air be used as the gas foratomizing the acidulent binder solution (“atomizing air”), as the gasfor controlling the pattern of the spray (“spray pattern air”), and asthe gas for suspending and fluidizing the particles in the body of theFlow-Coater. Other suitable gases may likewise be employed.

The air pressure of the atomizing air and pattern air and the pumpingrate of the liquid binder solution are set and controlled in accordancewith the particular agglomerate being produced as is well-known in theart. Also controlled are the quantity of fluidizing air being drawn tofluidize the bed particles, and the heat exchangers to set thetemperature of the air introduced into the flow coater.

For the materials disclosed herein and similar materials, the atomizingair pressure and the pattern air pressure is typically (for equipmentthe size of the Freund FL80 Flow-Coater) in the general range of about1.5 kg/cm² to about 6 kg/cm², the atomizing air flow in the generalrange of about 100 L/minute to about 200 L/minute, the pattern air flowin the atomizing air pressure and pattern air pressure, 1-4 kg/cm (i.e.,1-4 ATM); atomizing air flow of 170 L/minute; pattern air flow of 20L/minute; and, liquid binder flow rate of 400 ml/minute. The fluidizingair temperatures may range from about 60-85° C., or more or lessdepending upon processing and atmospheric conditions.

The different process parameters described herein can be set andindividually controlled by visual observation and manual setting, or bycontrol systems which semi-automatically or automatically sense andregulate the parameters in accordance with a given control sequence.Process parameters for a particular agglomerate can be programmed intoor manually set in to such control system. Computerized control systemscan be used, if desired, and the construction and operation of controlsystems for controlling the foregoing process are within the skill ofthose in the computer and control system arts.

Examples of acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates made in accordance withthe described invention follow. While the examples show differentembodiments of the invention, it should be appreciated and understoodthat these examples are not meant to limit the invention in any manner.Rather, such examples are intended to be exemplary and are not intendedto be exhaustive or limiting. It should be appreciated that theinvention is directed to numerous variants of these examples, all ofwhich provide methods of making and the resultant acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates made in accordance with the numerous embodimentsencompassed by the description of the invention herein.

Acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention, as shown in theexamples below, were made in accordance with processes described hereinusing a Freund Mini-Flow-Coater. The agglomerates were made frommaterials as indicated herein with citric acid as the acidulent bindingagglomerating component and maltodextrin as the carbohydrateagglomerating component. In these examples, the maltodextrin used is aproduct of Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Muscatine, Iowa. Thecitric acid used is a product of Tate and Lyle (T&L), Decatur, Ill. Inthose examples implementing a prefabricated acidulent binder solution,such solution comprises a citric acid solution (50% w/w) having a citricacid content of 0.62 g/cc. The effective amount quantity of this 50%aqueous citric acid binder solution varies depending on the desiredacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate end-product in accordance with theinvention.

Again, the resultant acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates made inaccordance with the invention have honeycomb or zeolite-like structureswith large amounts of voids and surface area. The instant agglomeratesare a stable blend of water soluble carbohydrate/acidulentco-agglomerates that reduce the number of materials in productinventory. The resultant acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates may becompressed into tablets having desired agglomerate particle sizesdepending upon the desired usage of such agglomerates.

EXAMPLES: The following examples serve to further illustrate thecomponents and details of preparation for the reduced size acidulentbased co-agglomerate binder spray, preferably sprayed in solution atparticle sizes of 20 microns or less, onto the carbohydrateco-agglomerate bed to formulate the various acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates of the invention. The following examples were performed andmade using a Freund Mini Flow-Coater.

Example 1

A bench model Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator productbowl was charged with a bed load comprising 360 g powdered maltodextrin(Maltrin M-100, GPC). The bed of powdered maltodextrin was energized andpreheated with inlet air at a temperature of 80° C. for a period ofabout 5 minutes.

An agglomerating pump solution was prepared by providing a pump solutionof 70 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L). The pump was energized ata rate of 2 ml/minute, and the citric acid solution was delivered as anatomized spray through the use of compressed air delivered to the singlespray nozzle at a pressure of 1.0 kg/cm² (i.e., 1.0 ATM). At the end ofeach 4 cycles of spray, the bed was dried for a period of about 4minutes before spraying continued. This pattern was followed until theentire amount of the spray solution (70 ml) was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was then finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 6.0%; Densityof 0.32 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 10.76%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product was shelf stable; hadimproved flowability, compressibility, mixability; dissolved easily andquickly in water; and provide an easy ready-to-use formulation that issuitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceutical productsas discussed above.

Example 2

A bench model Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator productbowl was charged with a bed load comprising 360 g powdered maltodextrin(Maltrin M-100, GPC), and an agglomerating binder comprising 40 gmilled, powdered citric acid (T&L). The bed of powdered maltodextrin andcitric acid was energized was energized and preheated with inlet air ata temperature of 80° C. for a period of about 5 minutes.

A pump solution of water was energized at a rate of 2 ml/minute, and thewater was delivered as an atomized spray through the use of compressedair delivered to the single spray nozzle at a pressure of 1.0 kg/cm²(i.e., 1.0 ATM). At the end of each 4 cycles of spray, the bed was driedfor a period of about 4 minutes before spraying continued. This patternwas followed until a sufficient amount of water was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 5.9%; Densityof 0.36 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 10.00%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product was shelf stable; hadimproved flowability, compressibility, mixability; dissolved easily andquickly in water; and provide an easy ready-to-use formulation that issuitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceutical productsas discussed above.

Example 3

A bench model Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator productbowl was charged with a bed load comprising 360 g powdered maltodextrin(Maltrin M-100, GPC).

The bed of powdered maltodextrin was energized and preheated with inletair at a temperature of 80° C. for a period of about 5 minutes.

An agglomerating pump solution was prepared by providing a pump solutionof 80 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L). The pump was energized ata rate of 2 ml/minute, and the citric acid solution was delivered as anatomized spray through the use of compressed air delivered to the singlespray nozzle at a pressure of 1.0 kg/cm² (i.e., 1.0 ATM). At the end ofeach 4 cycles of spray, the bed was dried for a period of about 4minutes before spraying continued. This pattern was followed until theentire amount of the spray solution (80 ml) was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was then finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 6.3%; Densityof 0.42 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 12.11%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product was shelf stable; hadimproved flowability, compressibility, mixability; dissolved easily andquickly in water; and provide an easy ready-to-use formulation that issuitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceutical productsas discussed above.

Example 4

A bench model Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator productbowl was charged with a bed load comprising 360 g powdered maltodextrin(Maltrin M-100, GPC). The bed of powdered maltodextrin was energized andpreheated with inlet air at a temperature of 80° C. for a period ofabout 5 minutes.

An agglomerating pump solution was prepared by providing a pump solutionof 120 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L). The pump was energized ata rate of 2 ml/minute, and the citric acid solution was delivered as anatomized spray through the use of compressed air delivered to the singlespray nozzle at a pressure of 1.0 kg/cm² (i.e., 1.0 ATM). At the end ofeach 4 cycles of spray, the bed was dried for a period of about 4minutes before spraying continued. This pattern was followed until theentire amount of the spray solution (120 ml) was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was then finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 6.1%; Densityof 0.38 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 17.13%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product was shelf stable; hadimproved flowability, compressibility, mixability; dissolved easily andquickly in water; and provide an easy ready-to-use formulation that issuitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceutical productsas discussed above.

Example 5

The experiment of Example 4 above was repeated in this Example; however,an agglomerating pump solution was prepared by providing a pump solutionof 150 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L). The processing conditionswere the same as those in Example 4, and repeated until the entireamount of the spray solution (150 ml) was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was then finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 6.9%; Densityof 0.40 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 20.53%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product had the same properties asdiscussed above in relation to the other examples described herein.

Example 6

The experiment of Example 4 and 5 was repeated in this Example; however,an agglomerating pump solution was prepared by providing a pump solutionof 31 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L). The processing conditionswere the same as those in Example 4, and repeated until the entireamount of the spray solution (31 ml) was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was then finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 8.3%; Densityof 0.28 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 5.07%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product had the same properties asdiscussed above in relation to the other examples described herein.

Example 7

A bench model Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator productbowl was charged with a bed load comprising 320 g powdered maltodextrin(Maltrin M-100, GPC), and an agglomerating binder comprising 80 gscreened, powdered citric acid (T&L). The bed of powdered maltodextrinand citric acid was energized was energized and preheated with inlet airat a temperature of 80° C. for a period of about 5 minutes.

A pump solution of water was energized at a rate of 2 ml/minute, and thewater was delivered as an atomized spray through the use of compressedair delivered to the single the bed was dried for a period of about 4minutes before spraying continued. This pattern was followed until asufficient amount of water was delivered.

At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 6.6%; Densityof 0.40 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 20.00%. The finishedacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product was shelf stable; hadimproved flowability, compressibility, mixability; dissolved easily andquickly in water; and provide an easy ready-to-use formulation that issuitable for use in compounding various food and pharmaceutical productsas discussed above.

Example 8

It should be appreciated that different processing parameters may alsobe used in formulating the acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of theinvention having the above discussed properties. In Example 8, a bedload of 360 g powdered maltodextrin (Maltrin M-100, Grain Processing)and 65 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L) were provided in a benchmodel Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator.

The bed of powdered maltodextrin was energized and preheated with inletair at a temperature of 70° C. for a period of about 5 minutes. The pumpwas energized at a rate of 2 ml/minute, and the citric acid solution wasdelivered as an atomized spray through the use of compressed airdelivered to the single spray nozzle at a pressure of 3.5 kg/cm² (i.e.,3.5 ATM). At the end of each 4 cycles of spray, the bed was dried for aperiod of about 4 minutes before spraying continued. This pattern wasfollowed until the entire amount of the spray solution (65 ml) wasdelivered. At the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product wasthen finally dried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about6.0%; Density of 0.32 g/cc; and Citric acid content of 10.00%.

Example 9

While the above Examples each employ the use of maltodextrin in the formof Maltrin M-100 as the carbohydrate agglomerating component, it shouldbe appreciated that other forms of maltodextrin may also be used in theinvention. In this example, a Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bedagglomerator product bowl was charged with a bed load of 360 gmaltodextrin in the form of Maltrin M-500, GPC.

The bed of powdered Maltrin M-500 maltodextrin was energized andpreheated with inlet air at a temperature of 70° C. for a period ofabout 5 minutes. The pump was energized at a rate of 2 ml/minute, and acitric acid solution of 65 ml citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L) wasdelivered as an atomized spray through the use of compressed airdelivered to the single spray nozzle at a pressure of 3.5 kg/cm² (i.e.,3.5 ATM). The bed was sprayed and dried for a number of cycles, andrepeated until the 65 ml spray solution was delivered. Upon final dry,the product was dried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content ofabout 6.2%.

Examples 10 and 11

The above Examples 1-9 were described in relation to formulating theacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates of the invention in small batchesusing a Freund Mini Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator. It should beappreciated that larger batches of the instant acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerates may also be formulated. In these examples a Freund ModelFL-80 Pilot-Production Flow-Coater fluid bed agglomerator wasimplemented to formulate large amounts of the instantacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerates.

In Example 10, Freund Model FL-80 Pilot-Production Flow-Coater wascharged with a bed load comprising 45 kg powdered maltodextrin (MaltrinM-100, GPC). An agglomerating pump solution of 8 L citric acid solution(50% w/w, T&L) was charged into an agitated holding tank. Prior toenergizing the machine, the following operational parameters for theagglomeration of the fluidized bed were set into the operationalcomputer: an inlet air temperature of 75° C.; atomizing air pressure of4.0 kg/cm² (i.e., 4.0 ATM); pump delivery rate of 400 ml/min; filtershake interval of 15 seconds; number of pump/shake cycles of 20;atomizing air to spray guns of 170 L/min; pattern air to spray guns of20 L/min; a bed mixing time of about 5 min.; and a sub-dry after each 5pump cycles of about 5 min.

The above parameters were set into the electronic control system of theFL-80, and the FL-80 agglomerating machine was energized based on theabove parameters so that fluidization of the bed was effected inaccordance with the invention. After each minute of time in theagglomeration cycle, fluidization was interrupted and the filters wereautomatically shaken followed be re-established fluidization. Thespray/shake cycles continued until all of the pump atomizing solutionplus system flush water was delivered onto the bed. The agglomerated bedwas then dried by fluidization in the heated inlet air until a finalmoisture of 6.3% (L.O.D.) was reached.

In Example 11, the Freund Model FL-80 Pilot-Production Flow-Coater wascharged with a bed load comprising 45 kg powdered maltodextrin (MaltrinM-500, GPC), with 8 L citric acid solution (50% w/w, T&L) ofagglomerating pump solution in the agitated holding tank. This examplewas performed under the processing conditions set forth in Example 10,and at the end of the spray and sub-dry cycles, the product was finallydried to a loss on drying (LOD) moisture content of about 6.2%.

In accordance with the different embodiments and examples describedherein, each finished acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate product of theinvention is shelf stable; has improved flowability, compressibility,mixability; dissolves easily and quickly in water; and provides an easyready-to-use formulation that is suitable for use in compounding variousfood and pharmaceutical products as discussed above.

While the present invention has been particularly described it isevident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the forgoingdescription. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims willembrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as fallingwithin the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An agglomerated product comprising an acidulent binder agglomeratedispersed with a soluble carbohydrate agglomerate to formulate anacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate.
 2. The product of claim 1 whereinthe acidulent has particle sizes ranging from about 1 micron to 20microns.
 3. The product of claim 1 wherein the acidulent comprisescitric acid.
 4. The product of claim 3 wherein the citric acid isselected from the group consisting of granular citric acid, pulverizedcitric acid, or a 50% citric acid aqueous solution.
 5. The product ofclaim 1 in which the carbohydrate is maltodextrin.
 6. The product ofclaim 1 wherein the acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate resides in a foodproduct.
 7. The product of claim 1 wherein the acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerate resides in a pharmaceutical product.
 8. The product of claim1 wherein the acidulent a citric acid binder and the carbohydratecomprises soluble maltodextrin, said citric acid binder having particlesizes ranging from about 1 micron to 20 microns agglomerated with and tosaid soluble maltodextrin to formulate a citric acid/maltodextrinagglomerate, said citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerate being honeycombor zeolite-like structures with large voids and increased surface area.9. The product of claim 8 wherein the citric acid binder is selectedfrom the group consisting of granular citric acid, pulverized citricacid, or a 50% citric acid aqueous solution.
 10. The product of claim 8wherein said citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerate have a density rangingfrom about 0.28 g/cc to about 0.42 g/cc.
 11. An agglomerated productcomprising: an atomized acidulent co-agglomerating binder sprayed,dispersed and dried onto and with a bed load of carbohydrateco-agglomerate for a number of repeated cycles until the acidulentco-agglomerating binder is depleted to formulate acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerate.
 12. The product of claim 11 wherein the bed load ofcarbohydrate co-agglomerate comprises a bed load of maltodextrinco-agglomerate.
 13. The product of claim 11 wherein the atomizedacidulent co-agglomerating binder comprises atomized citric acidco-agglomerating binder.
 14. The product of claim 11 wherein theatomized acidulent co-agglomerating binder comprises atomized citricacid co-agglomerating binder and the bed load of carbohydrateco-agglomerate comprises a bed load of maltodextrin co-agglomerate toformulate a citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerate.
 15. The product ofclaim 14 wherein the citric acid/maltodextrin agglomerate has a densityranging from about 0.28 g/cc to about 0.42 g/cc
 16. The product of claim14 wherein the citric acid is selected from the group consisting ofgranular citric acid, pulverized citric acid, or a 50% citric acidaqueous solution.
 17. The product of claim 14 wherein the citricacid/maltodextrin agglomerate contains citric acid in a weightpercentage of about 5.07% to about 20.00%.
 18. The product of claim 11wherein the acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate resides in a food productor a pharmaceutical product.
 19. An agglomerated product comprising:acidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate, said acidulent/carbohydrateagglomerate formulated by; providing a bed load of carbohydrateco-agglomerate within a chamber of an agglomerator device; heating saidchamber to energize the bed load of carbohydrate co-agglomerate;providing a predetermined amount of an acidulent co-agglomerating binderinto the agglomerator device; atomizing the acidulent co-agglomeratingbinder to reduced particle sizes; spraying and dispersing the atomizedacidulent co-agglomerating binder with the bed load of carbohydrateco-agglomerate, followed by drying said carbohydrate and acidulentco-agglomerates; repeating the spraying, dispersing and drying cyclesuntil the acidulent co-agglomerating binder is depleted; and once theacidulent co-agglomerating binder is depleted, drying said carbohydrateand acidulent co-agglomerates to a dry state to formulateacidulent/carbohydrate agglomerate.
 20. The product of claim 19 whereinthe acidulent co-agglomerating binder comprises citric acidco-agglomerating binder and the bed load of carbohydrate co-agglomeratecomprises a bed load of maltodextrin co-agglomerate to formulate acitric acid/maltodextrin agglomerate.